Innocent plea in killing of Cash's great-niece

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man has pleaded innocent to killing the great-niece of late country music singer Johnny Cash.

The Tennessean reported that 27-year-old Wayne Masciarella entered the plea Wednesday during a brief court appearance in Putnam County.

Police say they believe Masciarella stabbed 23-year-old Courtney Cash to death after getting into an argument with her and her boyfriend.

Cash's body was found March 19 inside a wooden box at her home in Baxter. Her boyfriend, William Austin Johnson, also suffered stab wounds.

A motive has not been released, but Putnam County Sheriff David Andrews has indicated the stabbings were likely connected to drugs.

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